AG

Three More In-Home Services For Downtown Dwellers

AG | November 13, 2014 |

I’ve written about food delivery services for downtown Austin residents, including some areas outside of downtown before, proclaiming my undying appreciation for the convenience they bring. Downtown Austin Blog has also written of our support of Uber, and most Uber drivers I’ve talked to say the majority of their business is in downtown & central Austin. Convenience services have been propelled into our lives within the past couple of years. Unlike some startups from the early 2000s, these players seem to have entered a convenience economy, with consumers willing to consistently spend the extra money.

Below are a handful of services that you might not have heard of, but I wanted to highlight for the convenience seeking, time-crunched DAB reader (more after the jump):

Handful of This Week’s Downtown Austin Events (and one on the East Side)

AG | November 11, 2014 |

DANA Urban Core Happy Hour
Sunday, November 16, 2014 – 2pm-4pm
Hotel Ella

RSVP Required.

DANA members and guests are invited to enjoy the hospitality of the recently revamped Hotel Ella.

On the menu:

Truffle Risotto Cakes
Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli
Chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped dates with piquillo pepper sauce
Antipasta Buffet Bar with imported cheese, house cured meats, preserved local fruits, and peppered flatbread with assorted crackers

+ complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails!

Creek Show, Light Night
Thursday, November 13, 2014 – Sunset ’til Late
Waller Creek (between 5th street and 7th street)

Event website.

"Flow" installation, Design Workshop — “Flow” installation, Design Workshop

As the sun sets on Waller Creek, five site-specific light installations will be revealed. These installations, all created by Austin-based architects and landscape architects, will illuminate Waller Creek in new and exciting ways. See the designs, hear local music and learn more about the future of Waller Creek.

East Austin Studio Tour
2 Weekends: November 15-16, November 22-23 – 11am-6pm
Various locations

Event website.

Big Medium presents the 13th East Austin Studio Tour! EAST is a free, annual, self-guided art event occurring over two weekends in November, providing the public with an opportunity to meet the makers: the local artists and artisans who leave a lasting imprint on Austin’s vibrant, dynamic culture. Tour-goers are invited to discover new artistic talent, see working studios, learn about artists’ tools, techniques, and inspirations, and explore unique exhibition spaces and local businesses.

One of the artists we love to support, Hallie Rae Ward, will be showcasing her work at Createscape Coworking. Check it out!

From Bail Bonds To Condominium

AG | November 3, 2014 |

12/10/2014: Updated rendering below!
09/15/2015: The project will be called Esquina Austin

While many of DAB’s friends will be sad to see Bail Bonds (777-7777) office go [sarcasm], we are interested in what is planned to replace it: 908 Nueces Condominiums.

908 Nueces LLC purchased the site in July. The address for 908 Nueces LLC on the deed records matches up to several entities, but it looks like the management of 908 Nueces LLC is a company called Scotia Western States Housing LLC, based in Tucson.

Through a little research, we’ve confirmed that a builder in Tucson, A.F. Sterling Homes, will be the company developing this project. While the company owns some single family rentals in Austin , this project will mark their first foray into developing dense housing in Austin.

Perales Engineering, who posted the below rendering of the project on their FB page in September, will be working with Urban Foundry Architecture on the project.

Here’s what we know so far:

Address = 908 Nueces
Lot = 0.29 Acres (~12,800 sf)
Proposed structure = (~34,000) sf
Number of stories = 4 + 1 level of parking
Number of residences = 32

908-Nueces-Today — Google Street View Image of 908 Nueces Today

A rendering of the northeast perspective, given to us on 12/10/2014. All renderings subject to change.

First Look: The Bowie Apartments in Downtown Austin

AG | October 29, 2014 |

The heavy lifting at The Bowie Apartments is nearing completion, and we were able to get a sneak peak tour to look at some of the units.

Previously named 3Eleven, a reference to the street address of 311 Bowie, The Bowie Apartments are attempting to raise the bar beyond the previous luxury apartment towers, The Ashton and The Whitley.

What we saw was an exceptional building, with pricing to match: studios starting at around $1550/mo, 1 Beds around $2k/mo. Two bedrooms begin around $3300, and large three bedrooms plans begin at [gulp] $9100 per month.

upgraded doors

keyless entry

wine racks standard

The Bowie offers 34 different floor plans. Whole Foods Corporate will have offices on their 8th and 9th floors (which, we are told will have a separate entrance).The Bowie’s interior features & amenities include:

Floor to ceiling windows,
hardwood floors
solar window shades
Gas Ranges (we don’t know of a downtown competing class apartment with this offering)
Full-size, front-load Washers and Dryers
2 outdoor common area decks (w/fire pits, grilling areas, etc)
Rooftop Pool
Catering Kitchen / Clubroom / Conference Room
Concierge Service
Bicycle Storage

The Bowie Apartments will have a heated swimming pool atop their 37th floor, boasting the “the highest pool in Texas!” We can’t confirm this, but it seems plausible.

What’s really going to set this apartment high-rise apart from others is its prime location: across the street from Whole Foods. At least until Seaholm is completed, to truly have walkable lifestyle in downtown, there will be a premium for close proximity to Whole Foods.

Competition-wise, The Bowie is likely to go head-to-head with the Ashton, Whitley, the neighboring Monarch, and individual for-lease units at the Spring Condos. Price wise The Bowie will also be competing with condos for rent at the Four Seasons and W Hotel.

The ground floor of the building will host a restaurant. We are told that there are several inquiries into the space, but no contracts have been signed to occupy the space.

Move ins begin December 15. If you’re looking to get some info on how The Bowie stacks up to other downtown rentals – just contact us and we can walk you through the details.

-A

Some Downtown Austin Events – Family Friendly

AG | October 22, 2014 |

Three family-friendly downtown Austin events happening next week, in no particular order….

Event 1

Trick or Treating with DANA at The Shore Condos, Thursday, 10/30/2014 – 5:30-7pm

Pretty self-explanatory. This event is restricted to downtown residents and their children (or grand-children, etc) and should be absolute cute overload. RSVP required. Click link above for details and RSVP. Here are some pics from last year’s event:

Post by DANA – Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association.

Event 2

DANA Garden Day, Near Pfluger Bridge, Saturday, 11/1/2014 – 9am

Calling all city dwellers! You may no longer have a garden to tend, but come get your hands dirty and meet your neighbors as we beautify part of the hike and bike trail near the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge. DANA adopted a garden on Lady Bird Lake (Cesar Chavez side of Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge). It’s a busy spot on the trail and will be enjoyed by all that pass by.

If you are interested in volunteering, please just email DANA at info@downtownaustin.org so they can send you additional information if necessary.

DANA Garden Day
Saturday, November 1, 2014, 9am-12noon
About 999 W Cesar Chavez
map transit

Event 3

Movies in the Park in Wooldridge Square – Beetlejuice, 10/29/2014 @ 7pm

The 2014 Fall Movies in the Park series continues on Wednesday, October 29 with Beetlejuice at 7:00 p.m. This week is sponsored by the Downtown Austin Alliance and will change things up by moving to Wooldridge Square.

Movies in the Park is a series of free films brought to you by the Austin Parks Foundation, and presented by the Alamo Drafthouse. The 2014 Movies in the Park theme celebrates the Alamo 100 – a list of 100 movies deemed essential by our beloved Alamo Drafthouse. The last movie of the season will be The Dark Night on November 13 at 6:15 p.m. in Republic Square.

Dogs, picnics, and lawn chairs are welcome. Alcoholic beverages, glass, and styrofoam are not permitted in the park. Recycling bins are provided, but we ask that you help us out by packing out all of your own trash. Smoking is also prohibited in the park, per city law. In case of rain, please visit http://austinparks.org/moviesinthepark.html for updates.

AG

DANA Urban Core Happy Hour Sunday, November 16, 2014 – 2pm-4pm Hotel Ella

Creek Show, Light Night Thursday, November 13, 2014 – Sunset ’til Late Waller Creek (between 5th street and 7th street)

East Austin Studio Tour 2 Weekends: November 15-16, November 22-23 – 11am-6pm Various locations